Golf ball washing machine



Aug. 9, 1932. s. s. WIILCOX, JR., ETVAL 1,871,139

GOLF BALL WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 4, 1929 Patented Aug. 9, 1932 T E g arr STARLING S. WILGOX, JR., AND HARVEY R. GREINER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO GOLF BALL WASHING MACHINE Application filed. October 4, 1929.

This invention relates to improvements in golf ball washing machines. Golf balls have their peripheral portions painted or other wise coated with a substantially white color.

In the course of the game the balls become soiled by contact with the ground, through grass stains, by contact with the clubs, handling and other causes. Players therefore desire from time to time to remove such soil stains, as far as practicable, from the surfaces of the ball to keep the latter in its desired whitened condition. Machines have been employed heretofore for this purpose, and it is a primary object of the invention to provide a new and improved machine which will overcome the objections present in the machines heretofore proposed for this purpose, and it is another object of the invention to provide a machine of simple and improved construction, capable of imparting extended service with minimum repair and attention and also to construct the machine so that all surfaces of a golf ball placed therein will be thoroughly scrubbed by the action of a pair of spaced stationary brushes positioned in substantially vertical planes wherein the bristles of the brushes are presented to the surfaces of the ball in such manner as to effectually remove soil stains to the s end of restoring the ball as far as practicable to its original color.

For a further understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the ball cleaning machine comprising the present invention, the lid or cover of the machine being shown in its fully open position,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the machine on the plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the rotatable ball carrier.

Serial No. 397,237;

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the improved golf ball cleaningmachine comprising the present invention in its entirety. The machine consists of a cubical metallic casing 2 wherein is provided spaced vertical side walls 3-3, a bottom wall 4, vertical end walls 5-5 and an open top. One of the end walls 5 terminates at its upper end in an eye 6 through which passes a hinged pintle 7, they latter being employed-to pivotally unite the metallic lid or cover 8 of the casing to the stationary base structure. The oppositeend of the cover 8 is provided with a spring catch 9 which is adapted to engage with an offset lip 10 projecting from one of the end walls 5.

The interior of the base portion of the easing is provided with a plurality of block sections 11 which are so united as to produce therebetween a substantially circular chamber 12. In fact, the chamber 12 is truly cir cular when the cover 8 is closed and the block section 11 which is carried by the inner wall of the cover assumes an operative position in the casing.

'Secured to the inner surface of the side with the brush bristles.

In order to provide for improved contact; between the golf balls and the cleaning surface of the brush bristles, there is provided in lieu of the usual sliding type of carrier, a rotatable carrier. This carrier, as shown in Figure 3, comprises a hub 15 which is mounted upon a shaft 16 journaled in bearings 17 formed in connection with the side walls 33. The shaft 16 is equipped exteriorly of the casing, with a crank handle 18 by which it may be grasped and manually rotated in order to effect the rotation of the carrier. The hub 15 of the carrier is provided with radiating dowel pins 19 which are preferably rounded and fit at their inner ends in sockets formed radially in the hub 15. The outer ends of the pins 19 are preferably decreased in diameter and rounded as indicated at 20.

In operation water or a soap solution, as indicated at 21, is placed in the casing the lid or cover being in the open position disclosed in Figure l. A golf ball or, balls to be cleaned is then forced downwardly by mantures.

STARLING S. WILGOX, JR. HARVEY R. GREINER.

ual pressure into engagementwith thepins of the carrier, the said pins being spaced apart a suflicient distance to loosely receive but one ball therebetween. It will be observed that there is a pair of brushes connected wit-h each of the side walls 3 and each pair of these brushes are relatively spaced 7 to produce a verticalgroove permitting the I golf ball to be forced downwardly in an easily executed manner .into engagement with the pins 19. The cover is then swung to a closed position and locked through the spring catch 9, and the carrier is revolved by the manual actuation of the handle 18. Due to the circular formation of the walls of the chamber 12 the balls are confined within the limits of said chamber and are positively retained in frictional engagement with the strong bristles of the cleaning brushes. The balls while being revolved in the carrier rotate in all directions, so that all portions ofthe surfaces of the balls will berapidly engaged by the bristles, insuring a thoroughand effective cleaning of the ball surfaces to the end of removing soil stains and restoring the original whiteness of said surfaces. When the cover is opened COIltlllIlGd; rotation of the carrier causes the balls to be automatically ejected from engagement wit-h the bristles. This is secured by the rounded ends 20 of the pins 19 which serve, as soon as theball is removed from engagement with the circular walls of the chamber 12, to project the balls outwardly and radially.

In View of the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a simpleand improved machine for effecting the operation of cleaning golf balls and other simi lar spherical objects. The invention involves but fewparts, is not likely to get out.

oforder and requires butlittle attention to keep the same in a tion. I I

What is claimed is:v

A golf ball cleaning machine comprising a casing including a removable closure, a par-- tition wall positioned within said casing and formed, when said closure occupies a casing closing position, to provide a substantially proper operating condi-- i it 

